Portable climber



May 13, 1941.

E. H. HURLEY PORTABLE CLIMBER Filed Oct. 28, 1940 ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 13, 1941 UNE'EE STATES PATENT FIQE.

PORTABLE CLIMBER Earl H. Hurley, Emporium, Pa.

Application October "28, 1940, Serial No. 363,200

(Cl. 187l) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to portable climbers, the primary object of the invention being to provide a climber of this character which may be readily and easily transported from place to place, and one which embodies few parts, to render the climber exceptionally light.

An important object of the invention is to provide a climber of this character comprising a plurality of telescoping sections, means being provided for removably connecting the sections,

whereby the length of the climber may be adjusted, adapting the climber for various uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a climber including a body portion and vertically movable step members, operated by the movements of the feet and hands, during the climbing, the step members embodying means for securing the step members in position on the body portion of the device, as the step members are being successively moved longitudinally of the body portion.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable climber which will be exceptionally rigid, means being provided for securing the body portion in an upright position, while in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a climber constructed in accordance with the invention, a portion of the body being removed to illustrate the action of the step securing means.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the climber.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the telescoping sections of the body portion of the climber.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the sections.

Figure 6 is an end view of the lowermost section of the body portion.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the body portion comprises a plurality of sections 5, the sections 5 being constructed of light material, to permit the device to be transported from place to place, with facility.

As shown, each section 5, with the exception of the lowermost section, is provided with an extension 6 at its upper end, the opposite end of the section being recessed, so that the recessed end of one section may fit over the extension 5 of the adjacent lower section. The lowermost section, which is indicated by the reference character l is formed with an extension 6 at its upper end, the lower end thereof being squared so that it will rest squarely on the base 8 that has its lower surface curved, presenting sharp ends 9 so that the base may embed itself in the ground surface to stabilize the climber and prevent the climber from tilting over.

Each of these sections is formed with longitudinally disposed grooves 10 in opposite faces thereof, the grooves being circular in formation, as clearly shown by Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing. Pins ll extend upwardly from the base 8, and are adapted to be extended or positioned in the grooves l0 formed in the lowermost section 1. When the sections are positioned one on the other, in the formation of the body portion, the grooves ll] of the adjacent sections will align, providing continuous grooves throughout the length of the body portion.

A rubber cap indicated at I2 is positioned on the extension of the uppermost section of the body portion, and provides a friction means to be positioned against the house or building with which the climber is used, to prevent the upper end of the body portion moving while in use.

A notch indicated at 13 is provided in one edge of the cap, so that the cap may be positioned against the corner of a building or structure, holding the body portion in an upright position.

The adjustable step members are indicated generally by the reference character l4, and these step members are of diameters to closely fit within the curved grooves It, as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawing. The lower end of each step member l4 extends outwardly and inwardy providing a stirrup I5 in which the person using the device, positions his foot.

In each step member is an opening, formed adjacent to the upper end thereof, and in this opening is pivotally mounted a lever l6, which has its inner end extended downwardly and curved as at H, the curved end being adapted to engage the spring-pressed ball l8 with which it is associated, to release the ball, in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described. These spring-pressed balls l8 are fitted in openings of the step members and bear against the curved end I! of the lever associated therewith. Under normal conditions, the frictional contact set up between the balls l8 and Walls of the grooves III in which they move, will act to hold the step members against movement when pressure is directed to the step members caused by the weight of a person standing thereon.

Hooks indicated at [9 are formed on the step members, and afford means whereby articles may be hooked onto the step members and moved with the step members.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, the sections of the body portion may be arranged so that practically any desired height may be attained. When the sections are positioned, the grooves I9 of adjacent sections will of course be aligned, so that the step members may move longitudinally of the body portion.

To use the device to ascend, the person using the device, places his feet in the stirrups 15 of the step members It. The lever it of one ball ['8 associated therewith is operated to release the step member, whereupon the person lifts his foot, elevating the step member released. When the step member has been elevated a predetermined distance, the lever I5 is released to allow the ball IE to automatically wedge against section 5, securing the step member in its adjusted position.

, This operation is repeated with the adjacent step member, and by successively operating the step members, it will be seen that the step members will be moved to the upper end of the body portion.

Upon descending, the operation as described is repeated, with the exception that instead of the person lifting his feet, to elevate the step members, the feet are moved downwardly.

What is claimed is:

1; A portable climber comprising a body portion including a plurality of removable telescoping sections, said sections having grooves adapted to align when the sections are positioned end to end, means'for supporting the body portion in an upright position, step members disposed With in the aligning grooves, each step member including a stirrup and a ball held in a groove of the step member and adapted to engage said body portion holding the step member in positions of adjustment.

2. A portable climber comprising a body portion including a plurality of telescoping sections, said sections having grooves, the grooves of the sections adapted to align when the sections are positioned end to end, step members fitted within the grooves and adapted to be successively moved along the grooves, stirrups on the step members and adapted to receive the feet of the user of the device, friction balls carried by the step members and adapted to secure the step members in their positions of adjustment, and means for releasing said balls.

3. A portable climber comprising a body portion including a plurality of telescoping sections, said sections having grooves, said grooves adapted to align when the sections are positioned end to end, step members fitted Within the grooves and adapted to move longitudinally of the grooves, each of said step members embodying a stirrup, a lever carried by each step member, a friction ball mounted in each step member and adapted to frictionally engage the body portion, holding the step members in their positions of adjustment, springs within the step members adapted to normally urge the balls to their active holding positions, and said levers adapted to en gage the balls moving'the balls to their inactive positions.

4. A portable climber comprising a body portion including a plurality of telescoping sections, step members adjustably mounted on the body portion and adapted to move longitudinally of the body portion supporting the weight of a person using the climber, and manually controlled means including'friction balls adapted to frictionally engage the body portion holding the step members in their positions of adjustment throughout the length of the body portion.

' EARL H. HURLEY. 

